Orchid trunk turns yellow and its leaves started falling .

This is a discussion on Orchid trunk turns yellow and its leaves started falling . within the General Orchid Culture forums, part of the Orchid Culture category; Hi everyone, i am having a problem with my phalenopsis. It started turning yellow at ...

Orchid trunk turns yellow and its leaves started falling .

Hi everyone, i am having a problem with my phalenopsis. It started turning yellow at the bottom and its leaves started falling without turning yellow. What could be the reason behind this?Posted via Mobile Device

I agree that it kindof sounds like crown rot. Do you have it potted in sphagnum moss? I had crown rot happen with one of the very first Phals I tried to grow.

My only question is that your leaves didn't turn yellow - in my case it was kindof a sequential yellowing of the leaves and central crown then they just fell apart. Did your leaves turn darker at all? Sometimes rot (fungi or bacterial) can cause a dark or blackening of the leaves.

I suggest removing plant from current media. Make sure the roots and crown are healthy. Remove any dead roots with sterile clippers and or scissors. Depending on how often you water, would determine which media I would repot in. If you water a lot I would suggest something that dries quicker like a bark mix. If you need help determining what to cut off take pix of the roots and we can help.Posted via Mobile Device

You have two flower spikes, does the old one have flowers on it? If not, cut it off to help your plant. You definitely have some crown rot, and it looks like roots may be dying, you do take it out of that outer pot to water it, right? Make sure you let it drain well before you put it back in the outer pot. I see a healthy new root behind, so you will probably be able to save the plant. Carefully pull away any yellow or mushy tissue, rinse it, then douse it with a bunch of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a bacteristatic, it prevents bacterial growth more than it actually kills the bacteria. It is also relatively cheap, and most people have some sitting around the house. It sticks to your plant fairly well, but it doesn't hurt to reapply it.

Good advice, all I have to add is that it looks like at least one leaf is under the potting media, if so it's potted too low in the media and that will cause it to hold water in the base of the crown. Good luck!

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